Best 30-30 single shot bullet choice....

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thepitchedlink

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Iv'e got a Savage 24v 30-30/20g that I'd like to make a load for. What bullet would you fellas suggest? I'm in BC, so WT and Mulie is on the plate...never know, that Elk could walk by. Might as well use a spitzer type, I was thinking of trying some 150g Speer Hotcores 'cause I have some. Maybe a 150 or 165g Ballistic Tip...I figure I want something that will open up easily at the lower velocities of the 30-30. I'll be hunting it with an apeture sight, so shots aren't going to be super long, but I figure 200y on a deer is possible, and maybe 125 or 150 limit on an Elk. What's your thoughts...Thanks
 
I don't handload myself, but...

For a 30.30 single shot...

Occurs to me that loaded with a Barnes 130 gr. TTSX, you could really wring out some terrific performance on both deer and elk. Definitely would be about as flat shooting out to 200 - 250 yds as is possible in that caliber.

I tried these in Federal Premium ammo from my 300 WM (no, not quite the same thing...) and it was a veritable Hammer of Thor on a bull elk at about 100 yds.

Load data here...

http://www.barnesbullets.com/images/30-30WinchesterWeb.pdf

Note: The "TTSX", unlike the "TSX", has a plastic tip. This increases the ballistic coefficient, and insures maximum expansion upon contact. Load data is the same for either.
 
Then it occurs to me...

Maybe just buy a box of LeverEvolution for about $25, and go hunting!

It's unlikely you'll be able to roll your own and still be able to come up with anything that matches these puppies!

I use 'em in my Marlin lever, and I wouldn't hesitate, given the opportunity for a clean, well placed shot, on any elk out to 200 to 250 yds.

3" high at 100 yds, they're dead on at 200 yds! And shoot tighter groups by far than anything else I've tried.
 
I'd go 165gr Nosler Ballistic Tip. @ 2300 fps it will expand nicely, and is fairly inexpensive. Carries well over distance too
 
Win 748/34.5gr/150gr great lever action load and yes in ss break actions as well.in the later a 150 SP can be used.................Harold
 
sir_springer said:
Then it occurs to me...

Maybe just buy a box of LeverEvolution for about $25, and go hunting!

It's unlikely you'll be able to roll your own and still be able to come up with anything that matches these puppies!

I use 'em in my Marlin lever, and I wouldn't hesitate, given the opportunity for a clean, well placed shot, on any elk out to 200 to 250 yds.

3" high at 100 yds, they're dead on at 200 yds! And shoot tighter groups by far than anything else I've tried.
Click to expand...

:agree:
 
Hornady makes some nice rounds in 170gr and even though they're loaded hotter and give you a bit of extended range, they loose their energy fast. A medium or small deer at 200 yards might be ok, but anything bigger will most likely run away with a hole in it. Just not enough power for large animals. I take deer just about every year with my 30-30 but I keep my shots to not much more than 100 yards. Deer are everywhere and its not a huge challenge to shoot them close up but when it comes to bigger animals, I use a larger caliber so they don't run away after I shoot. I like to see my animals drop on the spot. 30-30 has a limited ability to do so, no matter how good a shot is placed.
 
Boomer said:
I would try the 130 gr TSX or TTSX and work up a load that approaches 2400 fps.
Click to expand...

Thing is, the LeverEvolution already does that...with a 165 gr. bullet.

Being a break action, his rifle probably has a 24" barrel, which will maximize potential to achieve this ammo's advertised ballistics.

(Also eliminates the risk, albeit very slight, of some other doofus stuffing his spitzer bullets into a tubular magazine...)
 
problem is...

the big problem with using a tsx is that you need real speed to make them work... if you read up on barnes lit. You will see in their photos that the bullets open up less and less with the decrease in speed.
Leverevolution is the best ammo to come out in a while... I used it exclusively in tc 45/70. Super accurate!!! Priced as good as any hunting ammo. If were to handload for my 30/30 i would load that bullet as close to factory as i could get.
good luck
 
I used 125gr Ballistic Tips for years in my 21" T/C Contender carbine 30/30 barrel velocity was appr 2600fps due to the lower muzzle velocity the bullets always worked perfectly when hitting game but I've now wildcatted it to a 444X308 Win = 150gr @ 2620fps.
 
"...Might as well use a spitzer type..." Yep. I'd be thinking a 165. A 150 will do nicely to though.
The .223 over 20 ga., I had briefly, long ago, didn't shoot worth beans. Mind you, I didn't have it long.
"...as close to factory..." Not much point in reloading if you're trying to duplicate factory.
 
Another vote for the 150gr Ballistic Tip. Maybe the 165gr, depending on how each shoots in your rifle. The other choice is the Speer boat-tail in 150gr as Speer always advertised them as being of lighter construction. Having said that, my experience with these bullets and game is limited to the Ballistic Tips.
 
I'll echo the 150gr ballistic tip suggestion. They open fast even at low speed and have great ballistic coefficient to help them retain velocity. They're cheap, and generally fairly accurate.
 
fiddler said:
I like to see my animals drop on the spot. 30-30 has a limited ability to do so, no matter how good a shot is placed.
Click to expand...

Not quite... IMHO shot placement is everything, I'd love to see your deer make it far with a hole in it's heart and lungs. :D
 
Well, got the old 24v to do 2200+ with 165 BT today. It was throwing 2 into an inch at 100y. I'll try some 3 shot groups and maybe another .5g of power. they're loaded pretty long, so there's a bit of room left. I went with 165's 'cause that what was in stock...at the distances I'll be shooting I don't think it wil matter. Thanks for the replys.
 
Interesting topic! I also have a single shot .30-30 (NEF Handi-Rifle) for which I am trying some different loads. I recently made some 165 grn Hornady SST loads with IMR 4064, haven't had a chance to try em yet though. I'll post up as soon as I have some results.
 
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